[cadalot]

Robster

Yes it is, only flat and dipped in bitumen and used in brick walls since the Victorian era as an early type of bed joint reinforcement.  It is positioned within the vertical height of the walls at intervals varying from 150mm to 900mm centres (most usually at 450mm centres).

On elevations where it has been placed towards the outer weather skin, and that get saturated by driving rain on a regular basis, or on elevations where the pointing has come to the end of its life and needs attention they rust.

As metal rusts it expands to 7-10 times its original thickness, and horizontal cracks start to appear in the wall which looks like cavity wall tie failure. Insurance companies would consider any problem occurring as a result of hoop Iron to be a latent defect and therefore it would not be covered by a householder's buildings insurance.

In the early 1990's houses in Carshalton and Morden could not be bought or sold for a period as Banks and Building Societies would not lend money on the properties containing Hoop Iron. I was at the time a Structural Engineer with the Local Authority who with a Building Surveyor did the research into the problem for a report on the subject.

As a result of the report and a decision made by Central Government, and meetings with the 5 major lending banks and Building Societies of the day took place regarding finding and establishing what form the bed joint reinforcement takes (as there are mesh versions as well) after which properties could once again be bought and sold with a Structural Engineers Report on the Hoop Iron.

I undertake surveys and produce a Structural Engineers Report on what I find so that purchasers can sent to their mortgage lenders to obtain their mortgage.

Below is a photograph from a typical report showing where it has been found and I removed a little of the pointing and you can see the Hoop Iron

[tosca100]

Morning all. I've been out and established that not only has a thaw started, but it was also raining.

Now hiding in the house as OH has gone across to next door to help with the killing and butchering of the steer. Tends to be rather a noisy affair so will stay in till I see bits of meat hanging in the rain. A bit much for this veggie's sensibilities. Anyhow, OH has been giving instructions to tell beloved neighbours I am busy baking all day and will not be partaking in the celebratory meatfest which will inevitably happen later (I usually have cold fried eggs at these gatherings)

So large fig and almond tart in the oven for OH to take back with him for the happy butchers to keep them sweet.

[surbie100]

Morning all, up early watching Ealing comedies and trying not to cough. The poplar tree next door is grating along the roof & guttering and downstairs were thumping on the ceiling thinking it was me. Exactly what they thought I was doing is beyond me!

[devonbarmygardener]

It's always an early morning when you had too much red wine the night before!

Even 10am feels early!!

[snowdrops]

I was late today 8:30 before I surfaced for the day,what bliss, slept well too

[Springlands]

Very little sleep here overnight then was reluctant to surface - the storms have now disturbed two nights sleep and I am getting cross!! 

[Kevin67]

Good Morning, all!

It's so lovely to be the first up - peace and quiet before the family rises - a chance to have a quiet coffee, a sandwich and an uninterrupted catch up on the 'net!

After that, everybody has a piece of me all day long until it's bed time again!

I hope you all have a lovely Sunday. 

[jrko]

Just getting ready to go to bed. If I wake up at 10 I should be mostly back in sync with UK time

[tosca100]

Morning all. Another mild one today, snow forecast tonight.

Needing to sort out an area for seeds that the cat can't ruin. Might be a tall order.

[cadalot]

Morning all - Just having breakfast before a full morning on the allotment .... Yippppeeeee

[devonbarmygardener]

Central heating isn't working by the sounds of it.

Going out for a friend's birthday lunch today and then working tonight

[rogerbodger]

Morning all! Hope everyone & everything is where they should be and not been blown away - it was a bit windy here last night (and still is) - and nowhere as near as bad as reported up north.

[tosca100]

Windy here in Bulgaria too, most unusual.

Morning all.

[Robster]

Morning all,
Cadalot thanks for your fulsome Hoop Iron reply, thanks for the effort.  What an interesting subject.

I'm working from home today.  I like that occasionally i see more of the family and can get a lot done.  I made a lot of leek and potato soup yesterday so I'll need to put that into portions and in the freezer.

Have a great day all

[LotuSeed]

Goodnight all! lol. Waiting for an I've storm, should make for an interesting morning commute.